My next #edcamp session idea revolves around social learning networks for educators to play and learn-out-loud on.
Yes, the Twitter session is needed at every #edcamp. Twitter is like the playground, that amazing place where you’re exposed to all types of ideas and educators and media.
- Teachers that get a Twitter account during an Edcamp or other PD session are excited. They see other veteran tweeters sharing twitter stories and tips with them as +Barb Gilman, +Anibal Pacheco and I did at #edcampKS and +Sean Nash and +Jamie Neibling and I did at Summer Academy for North Kansas City Schools. They want to try it. They want to learn. They want to share. And as anyone who has been to an #edcamp can attest, it is great fun sharing f2f with educators in a relaxed atmosphere, no matter what side of the coin you’re on. We’re all facilitators and learners.
- If the New-to-Twitterers keep at it by following at least 100 educators, clicking the HOME icon and reading the edu-tweets, they will find things they’re interested in. They’ll find things they want to explore. They’ll see social networks and posts they’re curious about.
While Twitter is like the playground of education and where you go to keep your pulse on the big show, the other social networks are like the games in progress on the playground. The playground wouldn’t be the same if you just walked around and looked at it. You gotta jump in and play different games. You meet new people there and gain new experiences there. Others benefit from your posts.
If you look up to the top right of my blog you see all the hyperlinked buttons of the main social networks I learn on. Click on these and you can learn with me on any one of those networks if you choose. You can follow educators I follow. Use my ‘following’ lists as a resource. You can grow your PLN not only wider but deeper.
I started on Twitter. I noticed tweets with Instagram and Flickr pictures. I created accounts on these networks, yet another learning adventure, and followed educators I recognized from Twitter. I found myself learning through pictures, about education and about these wonderful people. How cool to learn through pictures and see with different eyes, see other schools and how they are set up, see other countries, and share my own pictures of nature, birds, edcamps, family fun, and school. I can’t imagine my life without the self-expression and sharing I do on Instagram and Flickr.
One of my posts from #edcampKS on August 3rd found on Twitter, Instagram, Foursquare, and Flickr.